MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi

Manufacturer: MSI

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi is a feature-packed ATX motherboard designed for high-performance gaming systems. With an AM5 CPU socket and support for Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), it offers the latest wireless technologies. The board also boasts an array of expansion options and RGB lighting for custom aesthetics.

This motherboard supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory running at a maximum speed of 5600 MHz, with the ability to overclock up to 8000 MHz. It offers multiple connectivity options, including USB Type-C and HDMI 2.1 for video output, and includes a variety of expansion slots like PCIe 4.0 x16. RAID 0 and RAID 1 are supported, offering flexible storage configurations.

Pros

Supports up to 256GB of DDR5 memory, providing ample room for demanding applications.
Equipped with Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) for fast and future-proof wireless connectivity.
Offers multiple USB ports, including USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A and USB-C), for high-speed data transfer.
Dual BIOS functionality adds reliability by providing a backup in case of BIOS failure.
Includes RGB lighting for customizable aesthetic options in a gaming build.

Cons

Lacks support for PCIe 5.0, limiting future expansion for high-bandwidth devices.
Does not support RAID 5, which may be a limitation for users needing data redundancy with better performance.
No support for mSATA or U.2 connectors, which could restrict some specific storage configurations.
Does not include an S/PDIF Out port for users seeking digital audio output options.

Who is this for?

This motherboard is ideal for gamers and power users who need robust connectivity and expansion options. With support for Wi-Fi 7 and dual BIOS, it ensures fast wireless speeds and system reliability, making it great for demanding gaming setups or workstations that require stability. The ability to handle up to 256GB of DDR5 memory also supports high-performance computing tasks such as video editing or 3D rendering.

Who is this NOT for?

This motherboard is not ideal for users who require the latest in high-speed expansion or specific RAID configurations. The lack of PCIe 5.0 and support for RAID 5 may limit future-proofing for those looking to build systems with the latest storage or GPU technologies. Additionally, it is not suitable for users who rely on advanced storage solutions like mSATA or U.2 connectors.

General info:

CPU socket	AM5
chipset	B840
form factor	ATX
release date	January 2025
supports Wi-Fi	✓
Wi-Fi version	Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Has Bluetooth	✓
Bluetooth version	5.4
HDMI version	HDMI 2.1
Easy to overclock	✓
has RGB lighting	✓
Easy to reset BIOS	✓
Has dual BIOS	✓
has aptX	✕
CPU sockets	1
Has integrated graphics	✕
warranty period	3 years
height	243.8 mm
width	304.8 mm
Has integrated CPU	✕

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard features an AM5 CPU socket and is built in an ATX form factor. It supports multiple Wi-Fi versions, including Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), and includes Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity. The board also offers RGB lighting for customization and is equipped with dual BIOS for added reliability. It is designed without integrated graphics and does not support aptX, ensuring a focused approach on high-performance setups. A 3-year warranty is included for peace of mind.

Memory:

maximum memory amount	256GB
RAM speed (max)	5600 MHz
overclocked RAM speed	8000 MHz
memory slots	4
DDR memory version	5
memory channels	2
Supports ECC memory	✕

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard supports up to 256GB of memory, making it suitable for demanding tasks. It is compatible with DDR5 memory and offers a maximum RAM speed of 5600 MHz, which can be overclocked to 8000 MHz. The board has 4 memory slots and supports dual-channel memory, although it does not support ECC memory for error correction.

Ports:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A)	2
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C)	1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C)	0
USB 2.0 ports	4
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports	0
USB 4 40Gbps ports	0
USB 4 20Gbps ports	0
Thunderbolt 4 ports	0
Thunderbolt 3 ports	0
has an HDMI output	✓
DisplayPort outputs	0
RJ45 ports	1
Has USB Type-C	✓
eSATA ports	0
DVI outputs	0
has a VGA connector	✕
PS/2 ports	0

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard is equipped with a variety of ports for versatile connectivity. It includes USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-A) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) ports for fast data transfer, along with 4 USB 2.0 ports. The board also offers an HDMI output for video display and features an RJ45 port for Ethernet connectivity. Notably, it lacks a VGA connector, Thunderbolt ports, and DisplayPort outputs.

Connectors:

USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (through expansion)	2
USB 2.0 ports (through expansion)	4
SATA 3 connectors	4
fan headers	6
USB 3.0 ports (through expansion)	2
M.2 sockets	2
Has TPM connector	✓
U.2 sockets	0
Has mSATA connector	✕
SATA 2 connectors	0

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard offers a range of connectors to support various expansion options. It features 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors and 4 additional USB 2.0 ports for added connectivity. The board also includes 4 SATA 3 connectors for storage devices, 2 M.2 sockets for high-speed SSDs, and 6 fan headers for system cooling. Additionally, it has a TPM connector for security purposes, though it lacks mSATA and U.2 connectors.

Expansion slots:

PCIe 4.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe 5.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe 3.0 x16 slots	1
PCIe x1 slots	3
PCI slots	0
PCIe 2.0 x16 slots	0
PCIe x4 slots	0
PCIe x8 slots	0

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard offers a variety of expansion slots, including 1 PCIe 4.0 x16 slot and 1 PCIe 3.0 x16 slot for high-bandwidth devices such as graphics cards. It also features 3 PCIe x1 slots for additional expansion cards. The board does not include any PCIe 5.0 x16, PCIe 2.0 x16, or PCIe x4/x8 slots, limiting support to older versions of PCIe for expansion.

Audio:

audio channels	7.1
Has S/PDIF Out port	✕
audio connectors	3

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard supports 7.1 audio channels for immersive sound. It includes 3 audio connectors for flexible audio device connections but lacks an S/PDIF Out port for digital audio output.

Storage:

Supports RAID 1	✓
Supports RAID 10 (1+0)	✕
Supports RAID 5	✕
Supports RAID 0	✓
Supports RAID 0+1	✕

The MSI B840 Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard supports RAID 1 and RAID 0 configurations for flexible storage setups, allowing users to choose between data redundancy or improved performance. However, it does not support RAID 5, RAID 10, or RAID 0+1 for other advanced storage configurations.

Final Verdict

The motherboard offers strong performance and versatility, especially for gamers and power users, with support for Wi-Fi 7 and up to 256GB of DDR5 memory. Its dual BIOS ensures system reliability, while ample expansion slots provide flexibility for future upgrades. However, the absence of PCIe 5.0 and some advanced RAID options may limit its appeal for users seeking the latest in storage or GPU technology. Overall, it's a solid choice for users focused on high-performance tasks and gaming setups.